#Girlboss

We all have our favorite brands and companies, but how many of those can we say where either started or run by women? Not very many.

"Who runs the world? Girls."

-Beyoncé 

Since Sophia Amoruso's memoir #GIRLBOSS is on my fall reading list, I've been thinking a lot about girl bosses.  The women who have created something out of nothing and who have decided to make their own path. A few big names that come to mind when I think of girl bosses are Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, and Lauren Conrad (maybe because I'm obsessed with their stuff!), but I also think of all the Etsy shop owners, bloggers, and artists who have gone out on a limb to share their gifts and talents with other people.

"What's your favorite position?"

CEO.

-Lauren Conrad

Considering  'Small Business Saturday' is coming up on November 24th, I'd thought I'd share a few of my favorite girl bosses that own small business (and some of which who are growing pretty fast or aren't so small anymore!)

1. Amanda Catherine Designs- After ordering her "Gentle Reminders" pencil set I knew I was in love her shop! Her pencils are a perfect addition to any desk or office and her prints are beautiful for any gallery wall. Plus she just added an adorable market tote printed with a grocery list that any girlie girl could agree on.

2. Evelyn Henson- I adore this lady's prints. Colorful and unique they bring a little sunshine and happiness to any room. Whether it be whimsical animals or pairing up with blogger College Prepster to create a collection of all things pretty and preppy, I'm sure you will find one that fits you! I'm currently loving her 'Suri the Camel' print.

3. Charm & Gumption- Owner and creator Holly Casto designs fun coffee mugs, prints, notepads and T-shirts. I purchased one of her 'The Little Things' gold foil prints and it is one of my favorite things on my gallery wall! I am also drooling over her 'I Woke Up Like This' mug. Be sure to check out her shop if you're a lover of simplicity, fonts, and gold.

4. Be There in Five- I bet you never thought a welcome mat could be this cute did you? Well, creator and etsy shop owner, Katherine proved us all wrong with her reminder and affirmation doormats. If you feel like you're having déjà vu, you might have seen her mats featured in Teen Vogue, Glamour, and Good Housekeeping. Because who doesn't need a cute reminder to turn off their curling iron?

5. Ashley Brooke Designs- Need a little fancy in your life? Ashley Brooke's mugs, notepads, and stationary is just what you need to add a little sparkle into your everyday grind. Her mugs are my favorite item that she sells. They make perfect gifts for the girl who has everything!

6. Confetti Cake Collection- Creator B. Mckensey Williams has created  t-shirts that are both comfortable and trendy. With cute sayings and fun fonts, I promise you'll fall in love with this brand as much as I have! What can I say, we 'mermaid' for each other.

Do you have any small shop owners or girl bosses that you love? Or are you a girl boss? Emily C. and I would love to know about them!

Keep Celebrating!

I love Fall because...

Listen. If there's one thing you need to know about me, especially this time of year, it's that I love fall.
No. I LOVE fall... I really really really LOVE fall.
Just talking about it makes me anxious, because it's the kind of love that I really can't put into words. (see also: the way you feel about your significant other... so, i don't know, maybe we're like soul mates? Me and fall...)
So since today is OFFICIALLY the first day of fall (insert angels singing... confetti everywhere.. world peace.. etc.) I figured I would dedicate my post today to the reasons why I LOVE FALL (in case you've already forgotten...)
...Well, a few reasons, that is, because we'd be here until the world was no more if I named them all...

Were you aware that fall actually has a smell? Neither was I until I discovered Bath and Body Works fall candles.  Listen, there's candles, and then there's fall candles. Yeah, candles make your house/ office smell nice and yummy, but fall candles smell nice and make you feel all cozy and warm inside (or is that just me?). It's magic in a melted down form! Bath and Body Works candles are like the Wardrobe in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  Just light one of these babies up, and even in 110 degree weather, suddenly you're in an alternate universe that is all fall, all the time..  Here are my personal favorites that they've got out right now...

                                
My most favorite one is the Pumpkin Caramel Latte candle. So, so, so yummy!  My husband (yes, he goes candle shopping with me..) is loving the Vanilla Pumpkin Marshmallow, which is new!  Honestly, you can't go wrong with ANY OF THEM.  Bath and Body Works does this super awesome candle sale a few times a season where they mark all of their candles down to half off (yes, you read that correctly).  Currently, well, you've got bad luck and the sale ended SUNDAY but I'm sure it'll be back soon.
If you just can't wait until then, and you aren't really wanting to spend 20 bucks on a candle, you could always turn to mine and Emily M's secret weapon...

Walmart's Mulled Cider candle. It's just.. so good (and not to mention it's $5).  I practically stock up on them because I know by the end of the season my husband I'll be tired of paying 20 bucks for candles but still don't want to sacrifice fall smelling goodness in my home.

These might be fighting words, but fall food kicks any other season's foods rear in my opinion.  Aside from the obvious fact that PSL's are back (psst.. have you seen our PSL print?), what's better (and EASIER) than coming home to a house filled with smells of yummy soups in the crock pot (your answer should resemble something along the lines of NOTHING)?  Here's one of my most favorite fall recipes that is a STAPLE at our house  (read that like:  I make it almost once a week, because, why not..) So, so, so easy to prepare!

Psst.. I call it 'the winning' white chicken chili because this bad boy won my Chili cook off at the office!

This goes without saying, but it is one of my many reasons why I'm fall crazed.  I just love layering and, well, fall is the signature season for layering.  I just feel like an outfit looks more complete when there's more dimensions to it.  Here's a few layering looks that i'm currently craving...

         

    

                                                            

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And that is the closest thing to heaven as we're going to get down here.  Listen, as much as I love fall, I'd have to say I love football as much if not more.  Nearly every Friday night I'm at my  alma mater's football games (in my defense, my brother-in-law is the Defensive Coordinator) and every Saturday you can find me in front of the television (or in very close proximity to one) from 10 am to about 11 pm.  Sunday-Thursday you ask?  Why, that's what ESPN is for! I just have and always will love the game of football. Period. As a little sixth grade girl who made the middle school cheerleading squad, my Dad started making me watch football games with him.  His motto? How can I cheer on a team when I don't know what the heck is going on?  He taught me every position, every play, all of the terminology. Ever since then I grew to love the game. I love the connection it's given me with my Dad and I just love what it's all about. Grant it I'd love to always be watching my Gators play (while simultaneously memorizing their depth chart.. Do not judge me...), football is football, and football is GLORIOUS.

Yes I'm the obnoxious fan that speaks about her football team as those I suited up every Saturday with them ("We're really gonna miss him after that injury..." "We've got to get more momentum coming into the second half...")

Yes, I'm the obnoxious fan that yells at the TV and nearly pulls every strand of hair out whilst going into DOUBLE OVERTIME AGAINST KENTUCKY (Because, Really? Kentucky? #theyshouldhaveputmein)

Yes I can hardly eat dinner after losing and I allow it to effect the rest of my day when we do (FOOD?! AT A TIME LIKE THIS??).

But I love it.

I got married in the fall. One day I plan on sharing how it is that a 20 year-old gal wound up standing at an alter on October 24, 2010, but for now I'll just say: God.  It only made sense that I would get married in the season that I love so so stinking much, and by the grace of God, that's how it worked out! October 24, 2010 is my most favorite day in the history of time.

What are some of the reasons that you like fall? I'd love to hear about them in the comments section!

Keep Celebrating,